ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] After trading offensive outbursts with No. 3-seed Central Baptist (Ark.), Missouri Baptist Baseball surrendered two critical runs in the top of the ninth and fell to the Mustangs for the first time in 2016, 8-6.

Missouri Baptist (41-12) fell behind 5-1 early before rallying to tie the game at six in the bottom of the eighth.

It was a game reminiscent of each of the games the two played in the regular season, complete with dramatic run swings and clutch play down the stretch. For the first time, however, it was the Mustangs that got the best of the Spartans.

The Spartans scored the game's first run in the bottom of the second. Central Baptist hurler Justin Southerland hit Brandon Schlictig with two outs to put the lead run at first. A passed ball and a wild pitch later, Austin Rieman crossed the plate to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.

Central Baptist tied the game at one in the third inning, as a leadoff error came back to haunt the Spartans. Left fielder Monterio May reached on an error and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Jalin Lawson to tie the game at one.

Central Baptist drove-in four runs in the top of the fourth as Donnie Lovelady entered the game and replaced starting pitcher Patrick Boyle.

As Lovelady entered, he became a calming force for the Spartans as the MBU comeback began in the bottom of the sixth. Down 6-1, Missouri Baptist plated four runs of their own as it took advantage of one error and three wild pitches.

Austin Rieman, Schlictig and Angel Cruz all recorded RBI in the inning and when the dust settled, the Spartans had cut the deficit to 6-5.

Just as the Spartans tied the game and looked to steal a win, the Mustangs roared back in the ninth. Central Baptist committed two costly errors in the eighth, which allowed Missouri Baptist to tie it, but the momentum shifted back to CBC after the inning concluded.

Central Baptist plated two runs in the top of the ninth and completed the upset over the Spartans with an 8-6 victory.

Missouri Baptist will now play its first elimination game of the tournament on Saturday, as the team will face the winner of Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) and William Woods (Mo.). The Spartans have a combined record of 5-1 against the two this season, with the lone loss against the Lions on April 22 in Henderson.

First pitch of tomorrow's first elimination game is set for 12:00 p.m. A Spartan win will not only secure one of the two Automatic Qualifier bids from the American Midwest Conference, but will allow the Spartans another chance at Central Baptist in a championship elimination game.